英语博客:Going back to teaching

Beginners.

This year I have some free time. My youngest child goes to preschool four mornings a week, so during that time, I can do many things. I decided 1 recently to put my application in for being a substitute teacher. That is a teacher who takes the place of a regular, full-time 2 teacher who is ill, or who cannot make it to school for some other reason. Sometimes a teacher has a training day to attend, so someone else needs to take his class. Often, especially around flu season, a teacher might wake up ill, or have an ill child to take care of; that's when I step in. I have been a substitute teacher before. It is a good way to experience many different schools in a short period of time. Generally, a substitute teacher, or 'sub', as they are called, will work in a different school each day. Before I went to university to get my teaching degree, I subbed for a year in our town. It showed me that High School is my preferred place of teaching. I enjoy the company of the older students, even though the teenagers can be quite a challenge at times. As I plan to eventually go back to teaching full-time, subbing is a good way to introduce myself to the school district and all it's staff. Let's hope that they like me!

Grammar notes.

Useful expressions: full-time, part-time, to step in.

She has just got a full-time job and is thrilled. A fourty hour week will really help to pay the bills.

I'm hoping to job share. A part-time position would be convenient for me at this stage in my life.

The house was devastated 3 by the storm. Thankfully, the neighbors all stepped in to help clean up the next day.

Advanced.

I'm really excited about getting back into the school system. It has been a few years since I last subbed, about nine actually. I suppose I'm a little nervous as well. Things have changed in nine years. Now there is an on-line application to fill in. We never had that before. It's not a problem, of course; it's just an extra step involving technology. Also, now I can look for jobs in advance on the internet. There is a specific site for subbing jobs which I can log on to and search. That way I can plan ahead and have a job or two lined up for me, instead of being called at five thirty in the morning to see if I am available. That is a definite improvement! There is certainly more paperwork involved, though. More forms, more information, more warnings even. There is a misconduct form which is new. It is required by state law from everyone who works in the schools. It also is a good idea. It basically protects the students from anyone who acts or has acted inappropriately towards youngsters 4. I'm glad that these regulations exist. They keep my children and all the students safe. Another thing that has to be done before subbing is fingerprinting 5. I went down to the school district office to have my fingerprints 6 done. It is a simple procedure, but I ran into a problem. Some of my fingers didn't have prints! How did that happen? The lady told me that gardening without gloves on will do that. The prints will actually get worn down! Well, I learned something new that day. But it all turned out okay in the end. I had enough prints for the police to check out my record. It turns out that I'm not a criminal.

Grammar notes.

Vocabulary and verb practice: inappropriate, on-line, website, 'to require'.

Exs:

The man acted so inappropriately at the wedding; he was very drunk and rude!

Checkout 7 the new on-line store. It sells shoes really cheaply.

I will have a new website soon that I think you will find very interesting.

Three years of study are required to get that qualification.

All living things require food.

The law requires traffic to move slowly near schools.